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1 John 4:1

Truth and honestyWisdomSpiritual warfareThe Holy Spirit
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
KJV
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
WEB
Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
ASV
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
DARBY
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, if they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
BLB
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
ÅB
Dere elskede! tro ikke enhver ånd, men prøv åndene om de er av Gud! for mange falske profeter er gått ut i verden.
OTB
Kjære venner, tro ikke enhver ånd, men prøv åndene om de er fra Gud, for mange falske profeter har gått ut i verden.
B1930
I elskede! tro ikke enhver ånd, men prøv åndene om de er av Gud! for mange falske profeter er gått ut i verden.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21

    but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

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  • 2 Peter 2:1

    Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

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  • 1 Timothy 4:1

    Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

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  • Proverbs 14:15

    The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

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  • 2 John 1:7

    For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

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  • Matthew 24:4–5

    Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you.

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  • Jeremiah 29:8–9

    For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.

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  • Matthew 7:15–16

    Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

    Read in context